Rally 'Round the Bank

A series of robberies at drive-in bank windows is frustrating the CHP - especially Jon and Ponch, who unsuccessfully chased the bandit´s car three times. The thieves have joined a 150-car road rally that enables their vehicles to elude the police. Meanwhile, Ponch gets a surprise visit from his mom, who refuses to tell him the reason for her trip.
Synopsis by Allan Asherman

Notes (4)

Anna Navarro (Mrs. Poncherello) had a role in the Alfred Hitchcock film Topaz.

Markie Post (Roberta) would go on to play Christine Sullivan on Night Court.

Ponch went an entire year without an accident on his motorcycle, earning him the safety citation and function pendant affixed to his nameplate. He'll wear it on his uniform for the rest of the series.

This episode takes place after Ponch has left his mobile home and moved into a apartment complex which is, of course, mostly populated by attractive young women.

Trivia (2)

Goof: When the dispatcher calls Ponch to tell him to call the sergeant, you can hear the trailer the bikes are sitting on for the close-up shots rattling.

From CHiPs Online:
Ponch still hasn't painted the burned out car he bought in "Neighborhood Watch"!
"Poncherello" is spelled wrong in the credits. It's supposed to have two e's and no a's.
When the bank robbers pull off the third robbery, something knocks the camera just as the money goes into the car.
Getraer didn't bring his wife to the dance? "Um, I have to work late again honey." I wonder if his wife knows where he is.
How many days does it take for the rally to go through the L.A. area anyway?
They're making slow progress or going in circles.
When they stake out the bank parking lot nobody bothers to block the exit to the street? I guess that would have made for a short chase.
The flood control channel is straight. It stands to reason that the robbers were driving as fast as possible through it. So how did Getraer manage to go around and end up in front of them...twice?
Isn't it lucky that Ponch's mom happened to bring her square dance clothes from Chicago?
Why is everyone saying goodbye to Ponch's mom in the parking lot? They're probably all going to the airport.